Earlier this year, former Minnesota Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard died from a combination of painkillers and alcohol. Rick Rypien, was found dead in his home in Alberta on Aug.15, an apparent suicide. Earlier this week, Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel on Aug. 31. His mother says he suffered with depression and anxiety.

Is there a link?

A neurosurgeon says a study of NHL enforcers has found serious brain injuries. Dr. Robert Cantu tells CBC News…

We’ve studied several deceased NHL players who were enforcers and the two that we brought public so far — Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert — both died with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

We have also had a number of brains come to us, mostly from NFL players who committed suicide, and their brains have shown chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

So anytime I hear of an athlete who has had a lot of head trauma who commits suicide, I am immediately concerned that chronic traumatic encephalopathy may have played a role. And I would like to study their brain to see whether the presence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy is there.

About the blogger

Bob Collins has been with Minnesota Public Radio since 1992, emigrating to Minnesota from Massachusetts where he was VP of programming for Berkshire Broadcasting Co. He was an editor at the RKO Radio Network in New York, and WHDH Radio in Boston. He is the founder of the MPR News’ website. He is a private pilot and flies an airplane he built.